Presented to the Prime Minister on 2 May and tabled in the Federal
Parliament on 7 May.
OPTIONS.
The following are the options for the use of the Conservation
Zone's resources:
Option A. Mining to proceed at Coronation Hill and the remainder
of the Conservation Zone to become part of Kakadu National Park.
Option B. Mining to proceed at Coronation Hill and the remainder
of the Conservation Zone to remain a conservation zone, but no
further mineral exploration to be permitted until experience at
Coronation Hill has been evaluated.
Option C. Mining to proceed at Coronation Hill and further mineral
exploration to be permitted in the remainder of the Conservation
Zone, any proposals for additional mines to include assessments of
the cumulative cultural and environmental impacts of such
proposals, assessment of their economic significance, and
evaluation of experience at Coronation Hill.
Option D. Mining not to proceed at Coronation Hill but further
mineral exploration to be permitted in the remainder of the
Conservation Zone, any proposals for mining to be considered when
more detailed information is available about the mineral resources
of the Zone, including assessments of the impacts of such
proposals on the cultural and natural environment and assessment
of their economic significance.
Option E. Mining and exploration not to be permitted at Coronation
Hill or elsewhere in the Conservation Zone, the whole Zone to
become part of the Kakadu National Park.
Option F. No mining or exploration in the Conservation Zone until
the Aboriginal custodians request it.
Option G. The Conservation Zone to remain a conservation zone but
no further exploration or mining to be permitted until the outcome
of the Kakadu Stage 3 Land Claim is known.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
1 The Inquiry recommends that the Australian Government make
decisions relating to the use of the Zone's resources as soon as
possible.
2. The Inquiry recommends that, if it decides that mining is to
take place in the Conservation Zone, the Australian Government
examine the following issues:
* the possibility of expediting the Kakadu (Alligator Rivers)
Stage 3 Land Claim.
* the need to ensure that the Jawoyn have access to advice
and assistance with respect to the disbursement of income derived
from mining agreements.
3. Irrespective of whether or not mining is permitted in the
Conservation Zone, the Inquiry recommends that a review of the
role of the Commonwealth and Northern Territory government
agencies in serving the Jawoyn community, particularly with
respect to community development and employment needs, be
undertaken forthwith.
4. The Inquiry recommends that, because of the ecological
importance of the Conservation Zone, the Australian Government
formally decide as soon as possible that the Zone will either now
or in the future be incorporated in Kakadu National Park.
5.The Inquiry recommends that, if any mining or development
activity is permitted in the Conservation Zone, the environmental
standards imposed be consistent with the Zone's permanent status
as part of the Park.
6. The Inquiry recommends that the monitoring and the regulatory
mechanisms set out in Chapter 8 of this report be established if
the Australian Government decides to permit mining in the
Conservation Zone.
7. The Inquiry recommends that, if the Australian Government
decides that any mining is to take place in the Conservation Zone,
it takes immediate steps to establish a Commonwealth authority for
monitoring and regulating development in the Zone.
8. The Inquiry recommends that, if mining is permitted at
Coronation Hill, the Coronation Hill Joint Venture be required to
backfill the mine pit.
9. The inquiry recommends that, if the Coronation Hill mine is
allowed to proceed, no further exploration or mining activity be
permitted until such time as the impacts of the Coronation Hill
mine can be adequately evaluated.